Meet the team - FIRST® LEGO® League
The IET are the proud delivery partners for FIRST® LEGO® League in the UK and Ireland.
Our small IET FIRST® LEGO® League team is supported by a phenomenal network of volunteers to deliver the programme across the UK and Ireland.
Find out more about the IET and the team below.
Hannah Rees - Senior Education Manager FIRST® LEGO® League
Work experience
Hannah has worked in the education sector for over a decade, supporting Young People with skills and innovation and was also fortunate to be involved in the UK’s Gazelle Programme – embedding entrepreneurship within the curriculum to teach life skills that drive innovation.
Hannah has also been involved with competitions, large-scale events including STEM festivals, T.V, radio and also the London Olympics. Before Joining the IET, Hannah has worked abroad directing teams and leading on strategy, project management and finance.
Hannah managed the Robotics and Mechatronics Technical Network. Hannah is a PRINCE2 Practitioner, holds an Executive Diploma with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and has a postgraduate diploma with the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (ISMM).
My favourite thing about FIRST® LEGO® League/IET
"I am privileged and grateful to be involved FIRST® LEGO® League programmes as I get to witness first-hand the impact, creativity, and the fun the children and young people experience. STEM is an integral part of learning and the FIRST® LEGO® League is a great life-lesson that everyone can be involved with.
"The team and the wider support team within the IET, our volunteers and the teachers who are involved are crucial to the success of the programme and I love working with them on each season’s theme to discover how we can innovate, grow, and reach more young people. Everyone is hard working and passionate and it’s a joy to be working with them."
Fran Ward - FIRST® LEGO® League Operations Manager
Olivia Oakley - FIRST® LEGO® League Programme Manager
Work experience
Olivia joined the FIRST® LEGO® League team in October 2020 as administration assistant before becoming FIRST® LEGO® League Discover Coordinator in January 2022.
Before joining the team, Olivia worked in Customer Service, and also completed her Level 4 BTEC and NVQ Diploma in Business Administration.
Favourite thing about FIRST® LEGO® League/IET
"I love seeing the enthusiasm of all the children, young people and adults involved and the amazing experiences it provides for everybody, including us! I also work with the most incredible and motivated team who make every day enjoyable and fun.
"I can’t wait to experience more in-person events and meet more of those involved."
Demi Cornell - FIRST® LEGO® League Programme Manager
Work experience
Demi joined the IET FIRST® LEGO® League team in 2019. Before joining the IET, Demi worked for STEM Learning training STEM Ambassadors and working with employers, schools, and organisations in London to increase the awareness of STEM subjects and industries.
My favourite thing about FIRST® LEGO® League/IET
"I am so fortunate to work with an incredibly amazing team who all share the same passion and enthusiasm for FIRST® LEGO® League. I love to see all the different builds and engineering skills children use to solve a real-world problem whilst being creative and innovative!"
Lizzie Oakley - FIRST® LEGO® League Programme Coordinator
Work experience
Lizzie joined the IET in April 2019. Before joining the FIRST® LEGO® League team Lizzie worked with the Event Logistics team.
Alongside working at the IET Lizzie has been working with children as a swimming instructor since 2016.
My favourite thing about FIRST® LEGO® League/IET
My favourite thing about FIRST® LEGO® League is seeing such a huge impact on the students. My work with the Sage Project allows me to see first-hand the difference FIRST® LEGO® League can make to the lives and views of students from disadvantaged areas.
I am so proud to be a part of a team who works to break down the stereotypes and barriers that students face in STEM.
David Tiebosch - FIRST® LEGO® League Programme Administrator
Work experience
Dave is a qualified teacher and taught Modern Foreign Languages in a secondary school in Hertfordshire for 14 years. He decided to change career in 2015 and achieved his childhood dream of becoming a postman! He joined the FIRST LEGO League team in March 2022.
My favourite thing about FIRST® LEGO® League/IET
“I’ve really enjoyed attending the tournaments and events; it’s amazing to see the children enjoying themselves whilst gaining valuable STEM knowledge and life skills.
The FIRST LEGO team at the IET are all hugely passionate and supportive and it’s been a pleasure to become part of the team.”
Stacy Akers - FIRST® LEGO® League Project Coordinator
Work experience
Stacy joined the IET FIRST LEGO® League team in 2023. Prior to joining the IET, Stacy worked in commercial sales and the construction industry, she also worked as a carer during the pandemic
My favourite thing about FIRST® LEGO® League/IET
"I've had the pleasure of collaborating with an outstanding group of individuals who all have a strong passion for FIRST LEGO League. Working with the SAGE project, I have the opportunity to observe first-hand how the program affects underprivileged areas and how children engage in engineering— taking part in activities they might not have had the chance to participate in otherwise."
Meet some of our delivery partners too!
Our FIRST® LEGO® League team at the IET is a tiny proportion of the whole FIRST® LEGO® League community.
We’re proud to work with some incredible partners! Meet some of them below.
ESP
ESP is our delivery partner in Scotland. They deliver all three FIRST® LEGO® League divisions all across Scotland, working with regional colleges and STEM Hubs and hosting the FIRST® LEGO® League Scotland National Final.
ESP is instrumental in promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) with both Scotland’s colleges and its strategic partners.
This has resulted in the colleges having a lead role in establishing the Regional STEM Hub Partnerships (a collaboration of relevant partners across all regions of Scotland).
Consequently, ESP is an active member of the STEM Hub Steering Group and has convened a college STEM Leads’ Forum to support the development of Regional Strategies and Action Plans.
LearnIt
LearnIt is our delivery partner in Ireland. They deliver all three FIRST® LEGO® League divisions across the Republic of Ireland, provide local training for teachers, and host the FIRST® LEGO® League All-Ireland National Final.
LearnIt gives children aged 6–16 years the best possible start in life by helping them explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) and other subjects in new, fun and innovative ways that supplement and enhance their school education.
Through their award-winning camps and workshops, children not only gain a deeper understanding of STEM subjects, but they also learn how to think creatively, solve problems and work as a team, all key skills which can be applied to other subjects and brought with them into adulthood.